Absolutism Cheat Sheet - SharpSchool
Scientific Revolution
Sir Isaac Newton, Bacon, Galileo and Johannes Kepler are all directly associated with the Scientific Revolution
• Knowledge should be based on experimentation and observation (Empiricism)
• Bacon: Scientific method was used to solve problems
• Kepler: Planets travel in ellipses and move faster as they approach the sun
• Newton: Gravity, Laws of Motion, Calculus
• Copernicus—Heliocentric model of universe
• Galileo—
• Agreed with Copernicus’ heliocentric model
• Invented first telescope
• Recanted (took back) his scientific beliefs because he feared that the Church might excommunicate him
Enlightenment
An intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of the individual to solve problems. Philosophes influenced by Scientific Revolution.
• Hobbes 1588-1679
o Leviathan
o Humans are naturally selfish, wicked, and need a strong gov’t to maintain order
o Believes Absolute Monarchy is best form of gov’t/Supports Autocratic ideas
• Locke 1632-1704
o Two Treatises on Government
o Purpose of gov’t is to protect natural rights—Life, Liberty, Property
o All humans naturally good and capable of governing themselves
• Gov’t power comes from the people/“consent of the governed”
• Montesquieu 1689-1755
o Spirit of Laws
o Separation of Powers
• Voltaire 1694-1788
o Candide Satire of church & gov’t
o “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”
o Champions free speech, freedom of religion & tolerance (against religious fanaticism)
• Rousseau 1712-1788
o The Social Contract-shapes democratic thought from 1700s to present
o “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.”
o Human beings are born naturally good, civilization & institutions corrupt (gov’t & school)
o People give up their right to the “general will” of the majority
• Emile—Rousseau’s thoughts on education—Mostly discusses educating boys
• he stresses the importance of mothers teaching their children & teaching girls to be subordinate and dependent on their husbands (Sophie)
• Beccaria 1738-1794
o On Crimes and Punishment
o Condemns torture & death penalty/Punishment should fit the crime
o Accused should receive a speedy trial
• Mary Wollstonecraft 1759-1757
o A Vindication on the Rights of Women
o Women’s equality to men/Equal education of men & women/women should study politics & medicine
Enlightenment influenced the writings of the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen as well as the American, French and Latin American Revolutions
Enlightened Despots (Enlightened Absolute rulers): use their power for the good of the people
Russia:
• Catherine the Great-Enlightened Despot
o Forced large number of peasants into serfdom
o Followed a policy of Westernization
o Gained a warm water port
▪ The Baltic Sea is important to Russia because it was a warm water port that could be used for trade and travel
o Patron of French philosophes
o Hoped to implement Enlightenment ideas and reform the Russian Empire.
▪ Formed schools for women
▪ Reduced censorship (did not eliminate it)
▪ Increased agricultural reforms
German States:
o Maria Theresa—Enlightened Despot
o Supporter of inoculation for small pox
o Strengthened economy
o Outlawed witch burning and torture
o Mandatory education
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